Revolution!

George Barna in his book, Revolution, © George Barna 2005, had this to say:

"Many well-intentioned pastors promote this perspective by proclaiming, "The local church is the hope of the world." Like most advertising slogans, this notion is emotionally appealing. The trouble is the sentiment is not biblical. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the hope of the world. The local church is one mechanism that can be instrumental in bringing us closer to Him and helping us to be more like Him. But, as the research data clearly show, churches are not doing the job. If the local church is the hope of the world, then the world has no hope."

I have "published" a similar thought (July 28, 2004) previously to some criticism. Now that someone with a name has said it, I am sure I will be told who I am quoting:)